Pacers' Rick Carlisle praises Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff

The game is the first of six consecutive contests the Pistons will play against a team that qualified for the playoffs last season. The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals, but their season ended with a four-game win over the Boston Celtics.

After finishing the 2024-25 season with a franchise-worst 14-68 record, the Pistons made a handful of changes, including hiring coach JB Bickerstaff in July. PacERS coach Rick Carlisle has competed against Bickerstaff in each of the nine years he spent at the helm of an NBA franchise and developed a fondness for his colleague.

“He did a great job wherever he was,” Carlisle said. “He did underrated work wherever he was.” He was very creative in every situation he found himself in. He built the Cleveland (Cavaliers) into a contending team with size when that wasn't the trend, and he did it very effectively and became one of the best defensive teams.”